Agni Purana — Dharma-shastra, Shloka 11
Ācāra
Right Conduct
छन्दश्चानुष्टुभं तस्य भाववृत्तो हरिः स्मृतः आपीडमानः शाटीं तु देवतापितृतर्पणं
chandaścānuṣṭubhaṃ tasya bhāvavṛtto hariḥ smṛtaḥ āpīḍamānaḥ śāṭīṃ tu devatāpitṛtarpaṇaṃ
তার ছন্দ অনুষ্টুভ; তার ভাববৃত্তি হরি (বিষ্ণু) বলে স্মৃত। ‘আপীড়মানঃ’ নামক বিনিয়োগ ‘শাটী’, যা দেবতা ও পিতৃগণের তर्पণের জন্য।
Lord Agni (narrating the chandas/śāstra material)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Alamkara","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Chandas and bhāva-vṛtti identification plus ritual application note (tarpaṇa for devas/pitṛs): helps align recitation style, meter, and intended rite (tarpaṇa) with the correct textual unit.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Anuṣṭubh-chandas, Hari-bhāva-vṛtti, and tarpaṇa-prayoga (āpīḍamāna/śāṭī)","lookup_keywords":["anuṣṭubh","bhāva-vṛtti","hari","tarpaṇa","āpīḍamāna śāṭī"],"quick_summary":"This entry assigns Anuṣṭubh meter and a Hari-centered bhāva-vṛtti, and notes a specific application (āpīḍamāna/śāṭī) connected with tarpaṇa offerings to deities and ancestors."}
Concept: Ritual reciprocity: honoring devas and pitṛs through tarpaṇa; aligning form (meter/bhāva) with function (rite).
Application: When performing tarpaṇa, employ the indicated recitation unit in Anuṣṭubh with a Hari-centered devotional composure; apply the specified prayoga (āpīḍamāna/śāṭī) per paddhati.
Khanda Section: Sahitya-shastra (Chandas & Kavya-lakshana)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee at a riverbank performs tarpaṇa: water offered through cupped hands with sesame, facing south for pitṛs; a subtle presence of Hari (Viṣṇu) presides, while a manuscript indicates Anuṣṭubh meter guidance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, riverbank tarpaṇa scene, devotee offering water with añjali, pitṛs suggested as faint ancestral silhouettes, Hari’s presence as a calm blue aura, earthy palette","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, tarpaṇa at ornate ghat, gold-leaf highlights on water and vessels, Viṣṇu icon or aura above, rich decorative borders","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, instructional tarpaṇa posture and hand position, sesame bowl and water pot shown clearly, gentle colors, emphasis on rite mechanics","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, detailed riverside with attendants and ritual items, devotee offering water, subtle divine motif in sky, fine naturalistic flora"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: chandaścānuṣṭubhaṃ = छन्दः + च + अनुष्टुभम्; bhāvavṛtto = भाववृत्तः (ओ-आदेशः पदान्त); devatāpitṛtarpaṇaṃ = देवता + पितृ + तर्पणम् (समास)
Related Themes: Agni Purana 155 (continuation of viniyoga/chandas notes for purification and tarpaṇa)
FAQs
It classifies a verse-form by metre (Anuṣṭubh), assigns an associated bhāva-vṛtti and presiding deity (Hari/Viṣṇu), and links a named usage (āpīḍamāna/śāṭī) with the ritual act of tarpaṇa for gods and ancestors.
It blends śāstraic prosody (chandas taxonomy and aesthetic modes) with applied religious practice (devatā–pitṛ tarpaṇa), showing how the Agni Purana cross-references literary science and ritual procedure within a single compendium.
By directing the performance toward devatā and pitṛ tarpaṇa, it emphasizes ritual ‘satiation’ and remembrance—acts traditionally held to support ancestral well-being, secure divine favor, and generate purifying merit (puṇya).